Old Man with a Long Beard and Skullcap, Leaning Forward
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione
1646
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione
1646
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
Old Man with a Long Beard and Skullcap, Leaning Forward is a 1646 ink by Giovanni Benedetto Castiglione, a Baroque work, held at National Gallery of Art.
This sketch shows a face turned slightly away, with a wild tangle of curly hair and a thick beard. The person wears a loose cap, and the lines of their face are drawn with quick, scratchy strokes. The background is mostly empty, letting the face stand out against a light, textured paper. The artist used a method called drypoint to create the rough, feathery lines—you can almost feel the pressure of the tool. This style makes the hair and beard look almost alive, full of movement. Next, check out technique: drypoint to see how artists like this one made marks like these.
